Monday, May 27, 2013

• •Crony Capitalism Protects Wrongdoers, Harms Consumers, and Disrupts Markets, Capitalism|Egoism|Individualism|Thanks to a renewed interest in the works of Ayn Rand and high-profile figures like John Stossel, Glenn Beck, and Rand Paul, libertarianism is enjoying a moment in the political sun. And just like America's two major parties, libertarians can often be blind to faulty logic and flaws within their own ideology. [....] It's all well and good to embrace Ms. Rand's philosophy of self-seeking individualism in theory, but when this mentality insinuates itself into the markets unchecked by moral and ethical principles, the results are antithetical to freedom and fairness.View blog reactions

Saturday, December 01, 2012

• •Romney in retrospect, Egoism|Individual Rights|Despite what Ayn Rand might tell us, we are more than self-interested, economically-driven creatures. We are spiritual and emotional and relational beings who seek community in civil society. Yes we have individual rights, but we also have obligations to our fellow citizens. Government does have a role to play in our lives, and it is more than just to create an environment in which everyone can have a job. Sometimes it must extend a helping hand to those in need, to those who need protection. Mitt Romney and the GOP ignored this reality. Terrified of alienating the critical "swing voter," they sang the same verse over and over: "It's the economy stupid." Not surprisingly, conservative Americans did not join the chorus.View blog reactions